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The celebration this year will take place between Oct. 6-11 at the Pais Arena in Jerusalem.

In a moving display of love for God as well as support for Israel, some 5,000 Christians from all over the world, including countries like Brazil, Britain and South Korea, attended the ICEJ Feast last year.

That so many believers travel long distances to celebrate the feast here has repeatedly caught the attention and hearts of locals. Indeed, in 2015 Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat encouraged the ICEJ to move the event from the International Conference Center to the Pais Arena, so that there would be more space for participants.

“Israel has no better friends throughout the world,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in addressing these Christian pilgrims.

A highlight for pilgrims is the traditional Jerusalem March, scheduled for Oct. 10 this year, as they join Israelis in a colorful parade through the streets of the capital.

The Feast’s opening night will take place in Ein Gedi on the shores of the Dead Sea. Reinhard Bonnke, the German missionary renowned for his work in Africa, is scheduled to speak.

The ICEJ conference organizers are also very keen for local believers — including youth — to take part in the Feast.

An invitation to the Feast introduces a few international ministers on the conference’s program. Jackie Pullinger, the British author of Chasing the Dragon and missionary to drug addicts in Hong Kong, and Alexander Shevchenko, a leading evangelist in the Russian-speaking world, will address the main conference. Shevechenko will also lead two special seminars for Russian-speaking congregations.

Another highlight is a special event for youth on Oct. 8 with worship by an Israeli band called Miquedem and a talk by Angus Buchan, author of Faith Like Potatoes. Anyone under 18 who wants to attend must bring a letter of parental consent.

“The 2017 Feast of Tabernacles will be an historic convocation with great prophetic significance. The year will mark 50 years after the reunification of Jerusalem,” the ICEJ said on its website.

“Our desire is that the Feast of Tabernacles will not only bless the thousands of pilgrims we expect, but also will be a blessing to the local body,” the ICEJ said.

For those who cannot attend, the ICEJ invites believers from all over the world to send a simple congratulatory greeting to Jerusalem for the Feast. Greetings will then be handed over to the mayor. Greetings may be sent to this link: http://jerusalemjubilee.com/